Do composers need to know music theory to write music?

Technically yes – if for instance you surround yourself with very competent musicians that can transcribe what you sing, find the chords to that melody, create the sounds that you have in mind, etc… then yes, you can definitely compose without knowing theory.

What exactly do composers do?

Composers create and arrange musical scores for anything that requires a soundtrack. Composers work to arrange technical aspects of each recording like harmony, rhythm, melody and tone, and then perfect them with highly technical recording equipment and software packages.

Do composers know every instrument?

No, generally speaking. Few people can play all of the standard orchestral instruments – people who go into music education do study all of them, but not so much composers. Most composers have been pianists, and it’s very helpful to have training on a string instrument as well.

How does a composer write music?

They often incorporated the tunes in their compositions without writing them down beforehand. Some composers write at the piano or guitar, working out their musical thoughts, and then writing them down. Others don’t play instruments, so write their ideas straight down on paper.

How do composers create their work?

Some composers prefer to improvise their compositions, writing freely and letting ideas flow. Other composers prefer to write down specific themes, and then let their subconscious come back to them later. In fact, they are really just ways of generating ideas. Generating ideas is only one step in the process.

Do composers write the music?

A composer may create music in any music genre, including, for example, classical music, musical theatre, blues, folk music, jazz, and popular music. Composers often express their works in a written musical score using musical notation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music.

How do composers think?

Sometimes inspiration is not enough. If it were, then everyone would be a great composer. That is because everyone is inspired by something. Everyone has emotions and almost everyone wants to express themselves in the most true way possible.

How do composers check their music before writing it?

Many, many composers are / were pianists and so were able to check their music by playing through the piano score. Once they are satisfied with the music, they orchestrate it out to the size of the ensemble they’re writing for. To learn how to do this, a common practice at the time for students was to hand-copy well-known composers’ music.

How do composers work out their musical themes?

Other composers prefer to write down specific themes, and then let their subconscious come back to them later. Still other composers would work out their music systematically, step by step, using formulas and mathematical equations. None of these methods are better or worse than any other.

What is the music composing process like?

The music composing process is a personal one. Every composer that I have ever met, or read about, has their own unique process. Some, like Mozart, are famed for being able to compose an entire piece of music in their head, and then write it down.

How do you know if you’re a film composer?

If a few scratchy chords conjure up the image of a shower, a knife and an unsuspecting young woman, or a bar of menacing music brings to mind a cruising underwater shark, you’ve responded to the work of a film composer.